What are stem-like structures that propagate certain plants by growing along the ground called?

Stolons are specialized stem structures that grow horizontally along the ground and play a crucial role in the vegetative propagation of certain plants. These structures are capable of producing new plants at various points along their length, where they can establish roots and shoot systems. This method of asexual reproduction allows plants to spread out and colonize new areas efficiently. Typical examples of plants that utilize stolons include strawberries and certain types of grasses, which can rapidly cover a space through the adventitious roots and shoots that develop from the stolons.

In contrast, mycelium refers to the network of fungal filaments, follicles are structures typically associated with seed development in botany, and rhizoids serve primarily as anchors for non-vascular plants like mosses, playing a limited role in nutrient uptake. Understanding the unique functions of these various structures clarifies why stolons are specifically associated with the propagation of particular plants.